Dental tourism is fast becoming popular. If you’re planning to go abroad for a dental procedure, you’ll likely want to know how long the procedure will take. This will give you an idea of how long your vacation will be.
Every dental procedure is different. While some are simple and can be completed on the same day, others are complex, requiring the dentist to work carefully. This results in varying times for the procedure and healing period.
To help you know what to expect for each dental treatment, below is information on the common procedures, including the duration of the treatments.
- Dental crowns (3 – 5 days)
A dental crown is often fitted to protect or save the existing tooth. Depending on the dentist’s expertise, this procedure shouldn’t take long.
During a dental visit, they will examine your tooth and prepare it before fitting the crown. The dentist may file down the tooth to accommodate the dental crown, but if you have a badly damaged tooth, they will try to build the tooth to support your dental crown.
Generally, getting dental crowns takes about 2 – 3 days. You can complete the procedure on the same day in Turkey, but you have to factor in the time for your trip.
- Dental implants (3 days)
The dental implant procedure is more complex and involves different stages. Getting implants can take several weeks to a couple of months to aid proper healing.
For the initial procedure, three days is sufficient, but you have to wait for 2 – 3 months to recover before the second visit. This visit also requires three days.
Your first few visits to the dentist will involve getting 3D images, models, and x-rays of your jaw and teeth. These preparatory procedures are necessary because they give the dentist a clear view of your jaw, gum, and teeth for optimum results.
If the damaged tooth is still in its position, the dentist will need to extract it before the implant procedure. However, you can have the tooth extraction and implant placement on the same day. If your jaw bone is insufficient to hold the implant, you can’t have the implant immediately.
You will first have a jawbone graft where the dentist will take bone from another body part or use a synthetic option. If you undergo a bone graft, you will need to wait for months before fitting the implant. The transplanted jaw bone will integrate with your existing bone during the waiting period to hold the implant.
To fit the dental implant, the dentist will drill a hole into your jaw or cut your gum to expose the jawbone. If the dentist cuts your gum, you will have stitches after the procedure.
Following the implant fitting, you have to wait for a few months to allow your jawbone to be healthy and fuse with the implant. When the implant is stable, the dentist will place an abutment on it to connect to the dental crown and then attach the crown.
- Dental veneers (3 – 5 days)
If you want to enhance the appearance of your teeth, dental veneers may help you achieve your aim. Veneers are thin shells, similar to regular teeth. The dentist will place the veneer on an existing tooth and glue it.
This procedure may take about 3 – 5 days, but a couple of weeks in some cases. The duration of getting dental veneers is due to the procedure involved.
During your first visit, the dentist will discuss the procedure and inform you what to expect. You may have x-rays and your teeth impressions taken during this visit.
The dentist will file down your enamel in the second appointment to allow the veneers to fit properly on your existing teeth. After the filing, the dentist will retake your teeth impressions and send them to the lab to make your veneers. Making your veneers can take a couple of weeks.
The last step is bonding the custom-made veneers to your teeth. After bonding the veneers, the dentist will make final adjustments to ensure the veneer is functional and looks like your natural teeth.
- Teeth whitening (1 day)
Professional teeth whitening can take less than two hours. This procedure leaves you with teeth that are some shades lighter within a short while. For professional teeth whitening, the dentist will clean the teeth with pumice. This step is essential to remove the existing plaques on the teeth’ surface.
The next step is placing a protective covering on the gums, cheeks, and lips to prevent the bleaching agent from damaging them. Next, the dentist will apply a whitening agent to the teeth and use a laser or curing light to activate it.
The procedure can last for 30 – 60 minutes, depending on the teeth shade you want. After the whitening, the dentist will rinse your teeth and apply a fluoride treatment to them.
- Root canal treatment (1 day)
Root canal treatment is a common dental procedure for cleaning and disinfecting infected teeth. Generally, the time required for root canal treatment will depend on the level of infection and the teeth type that requires cleaning.
For example, if you need a root canal on a front tooth, the procedure may take about an hour, but for a premolar, root canal treatment may last for two hours.
Your dentist will carry out three steps for a successful root canal treatment. First, they will reshape or enlarge the root canal space to ensure the treatment gets to all infected areas. The next step is disinfecting the tooth, which takes 40 minutes. After cleaning and disinfecting the affected tooth, the dentist would fill the cavity with a rubber material.
- Fillings (1 day)
A dental filling is a basic and the most common dental procedure. Many people get a dental filling at least once in their life. The filling doesn’t take a long time. The dentist will examine the teeth to determine the area that needs filling, and then you will have an x-ray for a better view of the cavity.
After the initial steps, you will decide which filling material you want, and then the dentist will place it on the affected area. A filling can last for one or two hours, depending on how many cavities need filling. The dentist will prescribe medications to reduce your discomfort, but you are unlikely to need the medication.
- Dentures (1 day)
Partial and full dentures are available. Your choice will depend on your condition. Getting dentures can take three to six weeks because it involves different stages.
In some cases, removing the existing teeth is necessary before fitting the dentures. The dentist will take the impression of your teeth to ensure the dentures fit perfectly, but you will get temporary dentures.
If you remove several teeth, the shape of your gums and jawbone will change, so the dentist needs to wait for a while to take your dental impression for the permanent dentures.
- Gum grafts (1 day)
If you have receding gums, a dentist may suggest a gum graft. This procedure is complex, requiring the dentist to take gum tissues from another area and place them into existing gums. Different types of grafts are available for this procedure.
However, the procedure doesn’t take too long. Depending on how much gum needs treatment, the procedure can last for only a few hours, but the healing period takes a while.
During healing, your oral hygiene and eating habits may need to change. Within a couple of weeks, your gums will be healthy, and you can resume your normal life.
- Braces (1 day)
Braces are suitable for all age groups. They help straighten the teeth, leaving you with a more attractive smile and reducing the risk for other dental issues.
Braces treatment may seem painful and last for a long period, but fitting and adjusting the braces may not take more than 30 minutes. However, everyone’s case is different, and the procedure may last longer for some people.
Before fitting braces, the dentist will polish your teeth. This process will help make the brackets remain on your teeth and fit better. The next step is applying a conditioner to your teeth, but they will take it off within a minute.
The dentist will apply primer on your teeth and then place cement on the brackets before fixing them on your teeth. The dentist will use a special light on the cement to harden it, and then you can go home.
After the fitting, you will still have several appointments in the future. The rubber bands fitted alongside the brackets become loose over time, so you need the dentist to tighten them every 3 – 10 weeks, depending on your treatment plan.
By having an idea of how long dental procedures take, you can plan for a successful dental trip. If you are unsure how long the dental treatment in Turkey will take, feel free to contact Smile Works Turkey for more information.
